RAVENS, Crows, Jays, and 



MAGPIES. 



Corvidse. 



f AVENS, Crows, Jays, and Magpies form a group of birds known as 



the Crow family. All its members are strong, robust, often large 



birds. Ravens and Crows are nearly all entirely black, while in the 



Jays the blue color prevails. Magpies show much white and black 



^ in the coloration of their plumage. Almost w^ithout exception the 



members occurring in the United States are resident species, only moving from 



one plate to another in quest of food. 



None of the species can be called songsters, although many understand 

 exceedingly w^ell to attract attention by their loud and far sounding cries. 

 The Jays are able to imitate certain notes of different birds very well. 

 All are exceedingly cunning and sly, sagacious and prudent, excelling in this 

 respect all other birds. They well understand to avoid danger, and therefor 

 it is often very difficult to approach them. In the w^oods they warn other 

 birds and even mammals, and for this' reason they are often a great terror to 

 the hunter. They have a sharp eye and a fine ear, walk well, fly easily and continuously, 

 and move about among the branches of shrubs and trees with great dexterity. Being 

 omnivorous in the true sense of the word, they lead a rather easy life, as they find 

 always and everywhere something to satisfy their appetite. In their haunts they are 

 always conspicuous. Carrion is to many of them a feast. The eggs and young of 

 other birds are robbed wherever opportunity offers. They are all ferocious, murderous 

 highway robbers, not deserving our good will and protection. Beautiful as the Jays 

 are in the forests, in the gardens and parks, they are a nuisance owing to their nest- 

 robbing propensities. If allowed to multiply they soon exterminate most other birds in 

 their neighborhood. 



